Of course the next thing he realized was that he had no idea of how he'd gotten here. He assumed that either Spike or Wil had followed him and brought him home. Did that mean that the vamps who had bitten him were dust? He hoped so. He hated being being food.

Still feeling somewhat drained, Alex slipped out of bed and went in search of the phone. He called his boss and explained that he'd been mugged in the park the night before and wouldn't be in to work. His boss accepted the story fairly quickly so Alex went back to bed and curled up with Wil, Spike, whichever was there. He was tired and he wanted to be held.

Wil was awake the moment Alex left the bed. Spike was awake as well. They listened intently as Alex called into work and then lay back down in silence as he padded back into the room. When Alex got back into bed and snuggled into the cool body beside him, the vampire smiled.

*See, I told you he was mine.*

*Don't get your hopes up, he might still refuse you.*

*He can't. I've claimed him. He's mine!*

*Please, let me handle this? You're far too emotional.*

*Grrrrrrrrr.*

*Oh please, like that's going to scare me? Just be quiet and lets enjoy the fact that Alex is here with us, okay?*

*Fine.*

Wil was hoping to work things out with Alex regarding Spike and his claim. He wanted to be the one who touched and was touched by Alex. Sure, he had experienced everything that Spike had the night before, but it was Spike that had taken Alex, claimed Alex. It wasn't him. He wanted it to be him. In truth, he wanted Alex to take him.

A few hours passed as Wil lay comfortably in bed, awake, with Alex holding him tightly in his sleep. He hoped this would become a regular occurrence. It was a most pleasant sensation, being held by a warm sleepy body. By Alex’s' warm sleepy body. He felt Alex begin to waken and he turned on his side to watch him.

Alex opened his eyes and saw his vampire watching him. Those beautiful clear blue eyes were full of happiness and ... love? It had to be Wil. He smiled at him, almost shyly, and reached up to brush a lock of hair out of his eyes.

"Morning."

"Good morning Alex. How are you feeling?"

"Drained. Pun intended."

"But you're okay?"

"Yep, good as new. Or I will be once I have some coffee."

"I'll go make some then."

"No. Wait, I didn't mean to chase you out of bed. I kinda like you here."

"As do I. Alex? What were you thinking, running off like that. Unprotected and half naked."

"I wasn't thinking. I was having a 'Xander attack' I panicked and fled. I'm not really sure why."

"Is it because you don't wish to be Spikes claimed?"

Spike growled inside the vampire’s head. Wil immediately shushed him.

Alex fidgeted uncomfortably for a few minutes. He lowered his eyes and spoke so softly that had Wil not been a vampire he would have missed it.

"No, it's because I do."

Spike, who had been holding his figurative breath waiting for Alex’s' reply let out an internal roar of triumph. Alex wanted to be claimed by him and he was ecstatic. He finally had someone who was his. Not because they were 'family' and they had to put up with him, not because he was defenseless and they pitied him, not because he was convenient and easily discarded. Alex was his, because he wanted to be. He may be in love with his soul, but he belonged to the demon. That was good enough for Spike, for now at least.

"Then what is the problem Alex?"

"You."

"Me?"

"Yeah, I ... I think I'm in love with you."

The smile that lit Wils' face was beautiful. He gently lifted Alex’s' head so he could look him in the eyes. He kissed him softly and then pulled slightly away.

"I love you as well, Alex. So what is the problem?"

"How can this work? I love you, I want you, more than anything. If I love you I shouldn't want anyone else. I do though, and it's wrong."

"It isn't. A lot of what Spike is came from me. We are very much alike, my demon and me. He is an extension of myself, and vice versa. Sort of a package deal anyway, luv. If you and I are going to be together, Spike would be involved anyways. This just makes it easier."

"So ... you aren't jealous? That Spike and I..."

"No. I was there as well, just not in the control seat. We share a body, whatever he feels, I feel and whatever I feel, he feels."

Alex smiled up at his lover.

"So if I were to do this, you would both feel it?"

He kissed Wil. Gently at first, but then more passionately until he finally had to pull away to breathe.

"Yes, exactly. And could you do that again now? Please?"

Alex chuckled and rolled on top of the smaller man. He kissed him again, only this time he didn't intend to stop any time soon.